Apple’s first Black chief of human resources will be speaking about her latest book at Montalvo Arts Center on March 27.
Denise Young is known for being the first Black chief of human resources and first vice president of inclusion and diversity at Apple. Her book, “When We Are Seen: How to Come Into Your Power and Empower Others Along the Way,” is “part-memoir, part blueprint for action,” according to Montalvo’s website.
“The first Black and female senior executive under both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Denise was often in ‘the room where it happened,’” reads the event description. “But within a white male-centric professional culture, she still had to work harder, smarter and differently to be heard.”
The book shares insights on using your own story, empathy and intuition to create a path to representation in the workplace.
Young had a 20-year career at Apple, serving in several executive roles. She followed it up with three years in New York City as executive-in-residence at Cornell Tech. Young also received numerous accolades, including being named “Most Powerful Woman” by Black Enterprise and one of the “100 Most Influential in Silicon Valley” by Business Insider.
She was credited for being one of the creators of the Apple Store cultural experience and is known for her emotional intelligence.
“Her story serves as both solace and strategy for anyone who has ever felt left out, unseen or ostracized (and) anyone interested in upending cycles of exclusion,” reads Montalvo’s website..
Keith Yamashita, co-founder of the Institute for Moral Imagination, is slated to moderate the event, scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at https://my.montalvoarts.org/events; admission is free for students.